St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-03

MS sb WIFE was q
young girl not yet out of her teens
poor, beautiful and ambitious.
Col. HOlbeck was ffty-hale, gentle
manly and rich.
The wedding was a quiet one. St.
Adams had never seen lOvlier bride
nor happier groom; and when, after a
months travel, the couple took posses,
sion of their luXuriant home, Mabel
again congratulated herself upon the
brilliancy of her fortune. Her bright
est dreams were meeting with fulfil
ment. She entered into her new life
with all the ZeSt of her fresh young
spirit, glOrying in the beauty that had
purchased her pleasures, and leaving
nothing undone that could enhance her
loneliness.
Col. HOlbeck accompanied her every
where she wished to go.
''She is too young, too inexperienced
for me to allow her her freedom" he
said caressingly. "She will doubtless
tire of this frivOlity after awhile, and
then we will settle down in that happy
home | have so often pictured"
But time wore on, and not even the
shadow of such WEAKNESS appeared
to cloud the young wife's spirits. No
gayety was proposed which did not
tempt her participation, and no tempta-
ton met with resistance.
After three years of patient waiting,
the frivOlities in which she INDUCED so
freely became so utterly diStaSteful to
her husband that he could no longer re-
strain his Impotence.
1--WE have been married about three
uaorc Mahal - ba cold n hQr ono 0uap-
ing in the course of an interview, "and
i'm all that time l have been but as a
slave at your bidding. 1t is true l am
more than twice your age, but became
your husband, fOndly believing that in
your love my heart would regain its
youthfulnesS, and that you would find
comfort and happiness in being an old
mans darling. That | have been dis
appointed l freely acknowledge; that
you have been l can but infer. / realize
now the vanity of the hope which led
me to unite old age with youth, since
our tastes are so dissimilar. What l
have to say to you, however, is this
that l desire you to relinquiSh, in a
measure, those frivolities which are
separating us so surely and so utterly"
Mabel looked for a moment into his
face and said: Suppose L do not de-
sire to renOunce those pleasures which
you seem to condemn so heartily?"
''Then / shall resort to that authority
which, as your husband, is vested in
me!'
'sAnd if do not choose to submit to
that authority"
THAT is not question to be discussed
between us.' he exclaimed. emphati-
cally, now thoroughly aroused and irate.
81 am master of this house, as you will
find to your cost! That you have never
cared for me, except as the representa-
tive of the wealth which purchases your
pleasures, is too plain case to
admit of argument. But there is
one thing of which you may rest as
sured. While you bear my name it must
remain as unSullied as when you re-
ceived it! | do not wish you to regard
me as brute, nor yet as tyrant, but
this continual dissipation must cease!
am too old to be dragged from one
scene of gayety to another, tied, as it
were, to the wheels of your carriage;
and since | cannot attend you, you must
confine yourself more at home. You
may retire now if you please, but re-
member that expect your compliance
with my wishesr'
''Thank you for the privilegew she
tire, however, until this question is def
nitely settled!'
Her eyes glOwed like midnight stars
and upon her white forehead the beads
of perspiration Sparkled like diamonds
in the full blaze of the chandeliers be-
meath which she stood.
''That do not love you, Col. HOlbeck.
you seem to be well aware. l married
You because / was dazzled by those
visions of splendOr which you placed be-
fore my eyes, and l sighed for them as
those who travel in sandy deserts thirst
for water. L shall not give them up
without a struggle, you may rest as
sured; but the victory is not always to
the strong. GOod-night!" she added,
turning from him and leaving the room
with the air of an empress.
Col. HOlbeck, stunned by her confess
sion, buried his face in his hands.
''She shall have her own wayw he
suddenly stOically resolved. eff she
married me, as she says, for my wealth,
she shall not be cheated in the bargain.
She shall enjoy her freedom unmOlested
while live, and my wishes shall here
after remain untold"
Four years passed away, and then the
end of it all came. Mabel was sitting
alone in her elegant drawing room,
whence hundred guests had just de-
parted, when Col. Holbeck entered has
tily. and drew chair to her side. She
gathered her trailing robes of amber
satin more closely about her, as if fear
ing contamination. He noticed the
movement, and exclaimed, APOLOGIZE
cally:
II vowed years ago, Mabel. that l
never would again. by word or look, de-
foit
fully, until now, have / kept that VOW.
This. however, is a perilous moment for
both of us, and must account for this in
trusion. | have communication to
make which will startle you; but You
must hear it. Are you listening? l am
a bankrupt, Mabel, bankruptl''
"a bankrupt she exclaimed,
hoarSely. Are yor in earnest?"
Eyes; in terrible earnest, as to-mor
rows proceedings will show! For your
sake l regret it. You worship wealth
and position, you told me once. and /
have never forgotten it! God knows l
"What are we to do?" she asked,
brokenly; for. try as she might, the
tears would not be repressed.
81 do not know" he answered,
vaguely. 1.-The tidings reached me but
a few hours ago, and since then / have
thought of nothing but how should tell
you of 1t without breaking your heart.
l am not too old to work for you, Mabel:
but how will you endure our misfor-
tunes? You will doubtless reprOach me
for not having provided against this
contingency when we were married;
but did not know then that you sold
yourself to me! thought that you
loved me little. Notwithstanding the
disparity of years between u.s."
He ceased speaking and abruptly left
the room. For moment MabeFS heart